Historically Thinking

In this engaging discussion, John Shelton Reed, a sociologist and author, unpacks the history of the Ramos Gin Fizz, tracing its origins to 19th-century New Orleans. He shares insights into the city's cosmopolitan influences, from German immigrants to iconic bartenders. The episode highlights how this unique cocktail reflects the cultural fabric of New Orleans. Reed also reminisces about Prohibition's impact and shares the secrets behind the drink's perfect preparation, inviting listeners to savor its rich heritage.

Cara Rogers Stevens, an associate professor of history and author of 'Thomas Jefferson and the Fight Against Slavery,' delves into the complex legacy of Thomas Jefferson. She discusses how his Enlightenment influences shaped his evolving views on slavery and rights, revealing a duality between his philosophical ideals and practical entanglements in slavery. The conversation also tackles Jefferson's relationship with Sally Hemings, shedding light on the themes of consent and hypocrisy that complicate his public persona. This engaging dialogue invites listeners to reconsider Jefferson’s role in American history.

Molly Worthen, a scholar of American religious and intellectual history, explores the profound impact of charisma on American society, from the Puritans to Donald Trump. She reveals how charismatic leaders provide deeper meaning and guidance during crises when traditional institutions falter. The conversation spans notable figures like Tecumseh, Andrew Jackson, and Franklin D. Roosevelt, examining how their unique communication styles and stories resonate with audiences. Worthen also highlights the significance of movements like Pentecostalism and the lasting complexities of charisma in shaping America's identity.

Shipwrecks as events are probably humanity’s most common form of disaster”, writes my guest James Delgado “As such, shipwrecks–aside from epidemics, warfare on land, or great natural disasters—have been the cause of the greatest number of human deaths throughout history. Thanks to ships and other watercraft, humanity did not just walk across the globe from its ancestral home in Africa. We made use of the ocean as a source of food and as a means of travel on our global journey. Humanity’s relationship with the water has also been shaped by the reality that for as much as is taken from the sea, something is lost. Those losses are ships, the goods on them, and people. Shipwrecks as events therefore ­have ­inspired ­one­ of ­the­ oldest­ genres­ of ­human ­reflection ­on­ the nature of life; [they] have been and remain a muse for religious thought, literature, music, and art.”These are some of Delgado’s introductory observations in his new book The Great Museum of the Sea: A Human History of Shipwrecks, a deep dive into the surprisingly rich history of human disaster at sea, and what those wrecks can tell us, both about the past, and about ourselves. From the cause of shipwreck to the beginnings of maritime archaeology, Delgado offers a history, a meditation, and pieces of a maritime archaeologist’s autobiography. James Delgado is Senior Vice President of SEARCH, Inc., the leading cultural resources firm in the United States. Previously he has been Director of Maritime Heritage for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; President and CEO of the Institute of Nautical Archaeology (INA); and host of the National Geographic international television series "The Sea Hunters". He was last on the podcast in Episode 292 to discuss his book The Curse of the Somers, in the course of which conversation he became the only guest in the over four hundred episodes of this podcast to break into song. He has a very pleasant baritone.For Further Investigation "The Blake Ridge Wreck: A Deepwater Antebellum Fishing Craft"Cynthia Kierner on disasters, including shipwrecks, in antebellum America

In this engaging discussion, bestselling author Alexander Rose reveals the daring capture of the U-505 submarine during World War II. He recounts the extraordinary June 4, 1944 mission of the USS Pillsbury, detailing the challenges faced in underwater warfare and intelligence operations against German U-boats. Rose shares fascinating insights into naval hero Dan Gallery's eccentric life and the audacious brainstorming that led to capturing a U-boat. Plus, he offers a peek into his writing process, comparing tools like Scrivener and Word.

The liturgy of the Christian church is often dismissed today as archaic, arcane—or dead. But as Cosima Clara Gillhammer shows in her new book Light on Darkness: The Untold Story of the Liturgy, these ritual forms were once the very heartbeat of Western culture and continue to shape not only our cultural memory but even contemporary cultural practice.In this episode, we explore how liturgical practices shaped medieval life, art, and literature—and why echoes of the liturgy still resound today in movie soundtracks, national ceremonies, and even the architecture around us. Gillhammer argues that far from being merely theological abstractions, liturgical forms were deeply human, and gave language to joy, grief, awe, and the cycles of time. We trace how those patterns wove themselves into everything from Michelangelo’s Pietà to John Trumbull’s Battle of Bunker Hill—and even to James Bond’s Skyfall. Far from being obscure or antique, liturgy turns out to be the roots of much what we take for granted. Light on Darkness: The Untold Story of the Liturgy is published by Reaktion. Cosima Clara Gillhammer is Career Development Fellow in English at Lady Margaret Hall, University of Oxford. She teaches and researches medieval literature, culture, and liturgy. 

Joanne Paul, an Associate Professor in Early Modern History at the University of Sussex, shares insights on the enigmatic Thomas More. She explores More's complex identity as a lawyer, humanist, and saint, revealing how each era interprets his legacy differently. The conversation covers his early life in turbulent London, the rise of humanism, and his profound commitment to civic responsibility. Paul's analysis of 'Utopia' contrasts More's idealism with 16th-century realities, spotlighting his moral stand against tyranny during his tumultuous relationship with Henry VIII.

Fyodor Tertitskiy, an expert in North Korean history and author of 'The Accidental Tyrant', dives into Kim Il-sung's unexpected rise to power post-WWII. Tertitskiy discusses how Kim, once a minor figure, utilized committee politics and manipulation to become the nation’s leader. He explores the myths surrounding Kim's life, his militarization strategies, and the profound influence of his Juche ideology. The podcast examines the oppressive cult of personality that ensued, presenting a chilling look at how historical contexts shaped North Korea's current regime.

In this discussion, John G. Turner, a religious studies professor and author, dives into the multifaceted life of Joseph Smith, the founder of the Latter-day Saints. He explores Smith's early struggles in a challenging economy, his fascinating blend of folklore and faith, and the origins of the Book of Mormon. Smith’s charismatic leadership, alongside the formidable role of his wife Emma, paints a picture of a man deeply tied to 19th-century America. Turner also addresses the violent backlash against the Mormons and the evolution of access to their historical records.

Join Dan Edelstein, a Stanford professor and author specializing in revolutionary thought, as he unravels the evolution of the concept of revolution from ancient skepticism to Enlightenment optimism. Edelstein illustrates how classical views feared the chaos of revolutions, contrasting sharply with later ideas that saw them as catalysts for progress. The conversation touches on pivotal moments like the French Revolution, the cyclical nature of political upheaval, and the lasting legacies of these transformative ideas on modern governance.